A recent study on the global omega-3 index (O3I) reveals significant disparities across Asia-Pacific countries, highlighting Japan and South Korea’s high O3I levels compared to lower averages in China and Australia.
Partially funded by the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), the study analyzed observational studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published on GOED’s Clinical Study Database and PubMed. Published in Progress in Lipid Research on July 3, this study updated findings from a 2016 report, comparing changes in O3I levels.
The O3I is defined as the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membrane fatty acids. The 2024 report included data from 342,864 individuals across 48 countries or regions, with an average age of 53 years. Women constituted 53 percent of the study group, with men at 47 percent.
Asia-Pacific nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Taiwan, represented 7.3 percent (25,115 individuals) of the study. Meanwhile, Oceania contributed 0.7 percent (2,296 individuals), with Australia (2,038) and New Zealand (142) included.
Key findings showed that South Korea and Japan led the Asia-Pacific region with desirable O3I levels, exceeding eight percent EPA and DHA in red blood cell membrane fatty acids, akin to levels observed in Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Greenland.
Taiwan and New Zealand displayed moderate O3I levels, ranging from six to eight percent EPA and DHA, alongside regions like Spain, France, Denmark, Sweden, Tunisia, and Mongolia.
New Zealand notably improved its O3I status from lower than moderate in 2016 to moderate in 2024, possibly due to increased omega-3-related RCTs and observational studies.
Conversely, China, Australia, North America, Turkey, and other regions recorded O3I levels below moderate, between four and six percent EPA and DHA. India reported the lowest O3I among Asia-Pacific nations, below four percent.
India’s O3I was 3.62 percent, slightly higher than Iran (2.41 percent), Egypt (2.1 percent), and the Palestinian territories (2.56 percent), with sample sizes in these countries noted as relatively small.
Researchers emphasized persistent low EPA and DHA intake and status in India, the Middle East, and Brazil, contrasting with high fish consumption countries like South Korea and Japan, which maintained desirable O3I levels despite increasing consumer demand for omega-3 supplements.
The study underscored ongoing disparities in omega-3 intake across global populations, reflecting both dietary habits and nutritional awareness challenges.
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